The leader of the long-running WASPI campaign has issued a stark warning to government ministers, declaring that the movement is stronger than ever and fully prepared to return to court in 2026.
Campaign Vows to Fight On for Compensation
Angela Madden, the 71-year-old chair of Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI), told The Mirror that millions of women born in the 1950s remain resolute in their demand for financial redress. This follows the government's controversial decision over a year ago to reject payouts of between £1,000 and £2,950, despite an ombudsman's recommendation.
"We will be ready again if we think the decision is unlawful," Madden stated. "We're quite willing to go to court again." The campaign had been poised for a judicial review at the start of December, but legal action is currently on hold. This pause is pending the outcome of a fresh government review, triggered by the discovery of a new document from 2007 not previously shown to ministers.
Growing Support and a 'Fighting Fund'
Far from being deflated by the delay, Madden reports that public backing for the WASPI cause is surging. The campaign's Facebook following has increased by 35,000 in recent weeks to around 165,000, while its paid membership scheme is also growing.
"It's actually having the opposite effect. People are getting more involved and wanting to do their bit," she explained. A CrowdJustice fundraiser, initially targeting £270,000 for legal costs, has already exceeded its goal. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also agreed to pay £180,000 in legal fees, with a final decision on compensation expected by 24 February 2024.
A Lived Experience of Financial Hardship
The campaign argues that failures by the DWP meant changes to the state pension age for women were not communicated properly, plunging many into poverty as they were unable to plan. Madden, who retired early to care for her ill mother, emphasised the personal toll.
"It just would not happen to a less vulnerable group of people than we are," she said. "We paid our taxes, we paid our National Insurance... Some of us have given up jobs that we wouldn't have given up had we known." She estimates that one affected woman dies every 13 minutes without seeing justice.
While Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has cautioned that retaking the decision does not guarantee compensation, WASPI campaigners are not swayed. They point to polling showing 74% of the public believe the women should be fairly compensated, and 78% feel Keir Starmer has broken a pledge he made in opposition to support them.
"The government didn't want to go to court because they knew their decision would have been found to be unlawful," Madden concluded, signalling a fierce battle ahead if the review does not lead to a compensation scheme.
